Chapter 275: Avatar Extended Theatrical Run

On May 1st Labor Day, long queues formed outside major cinemas worldwide.

At a Beijing cinema, people had already been squatting with blankets since three in the morning.

"Are there still tickets?" a young man asked the ticket seller anxiously.

"All showings for the next three days are sold out," the ticket seller said without looking up, "You can only book seats for next week now."

The same scene played out across the globe: in Xiangjiang, outside the Causeway Bay cinema, scalpers had hiked ticket prices to five times the original, yet they still sold out instantly; in Japan, outside the Shibuya cinema in Tokyo, otaku fans held up signs reading "Seeking Tickets" and shouted "Avatar! Avatar!" in broken Chinese; in South Korea: inside the Seoul CGV cinema, the audience collectively gasped "Wow—" at the stunning visuals; in Europe and America, the arrival of "Avatar" crushed the second-place film with 2 million in box office to become the champion, prompting Hollywood media to exclaim "The era of Chinese cinema has arrived."

In newspapers, topics like "Avatar tickets impossible to get" and "Begging on knees for Avatar tickets" dominated.

When the May Day holiday ended, the box office figures for "Avatar" shocked the world: domestically, the first-week box office broke 1.5 billion RMB, shattering all records; globally, overseas box office accumulated 320 million USD, making it the second film by Xiang Fei to break into the global box office top two, while the number one spot held by Xiang Fei's "Titanic" teetered precariously.

China Film Group urgently convened a meeting.

"We must extend the screening period," Han Shanping decided, "Extend the key for two months!"

Cinema chain managers beamed with joy: "Now our year-end bonuses are secured!"

In Xiangjiang, the old Xiang family mansion at Repulse Bay.

As Xiang Fei, Zhou Huimin, and Xiang Yang got out of the car, Uncle Lin rushed forward: "The Young Master is back! The Old Master has been waiting for a long time."

In the courtyard, the entire Xiang family had been waiting for quite some time.

"Ah Fei!" Xiang Wah Keung, rarely smiling, patted his nephew's shoulder, "Well done!"

Dong Xiaolan directly grabbed Zhou Huimin's hand: "Ah Min, if you're pregnant, don't wander around; go inside and rest quickly!"

Xiang Yang was surrounded by childhood playmates: "Yangyang, are the flying dragons in the movie real?" The little guy proudly lifted his head: "My dad made them, and I even played a role in it."

At the banquet, Xiang Zuo kept pestering Xiang Fei.

"Big Brother, is there a second part to 'Avatar'?" Xiang Zuo's eyes sparkled, "Arrange a role for me, even an extra will do!"

Before Xiang Fei could answer, Xiang Tai twisted Xiang Zuo's ear: "You rascal! Your big brother is filming a sci-fi blockbuster, not a gangster movie!"

"Mom! It hurts, it hurts, it hurts!" Xiang Zuo wailed, "I just want to play an alien!"

The whole family burst into laughter. Xiang Wah Keung shook his head and sighed: "If this boy would just put half his energy into serious matters..."

Xiang Fei smiled and intervened: "If Little Brother really wants to act, I'll help find a role for him in the mainland."

Xiang Zuo immediately perked up: "Really? Thank you, Big Brother!"

Xiang Tai glared at him: "Fix your careless habits first!"

In the garden, Zhou Huimin was surrounded by a group of female relatives.

"Ah Min, for this baby, do you want a boy or a girl?" Xiang Tai asked with a smile.

Zhou Huimin gently stroked her belly: "As long as it's healthy, that's all that matters."

Xiang Tai suddenly leaned in mysteriously: "I asked White Dragon King to calculate it; it's definitely a daughter!"

"Really?" Zhou Huimin exclaimed with joy, "Yangyang has always wanted a little sister!"

Not far away, Xiang Yang was leading a group of children in "reenacting" the "Avatar" plot; the little guy rode on his young uncle Xiang Zuo's back, shouting: "I am the Shadow Rider!"

Xiang Fei stood on the terrace, watching this heartwarming scene, the corners of his mouth unconsciously curling upward.

Late at night when all was quiet, Zhou Huimin leaned against her husband's shoulder.

"Ah Fei, what are the plans next?"

Xiang Fei looked at the computer—on it were the latest global box office figures for "Avatar."

"First, I'll accompany you to rest safely during your pregnancy," he kissed the tips of his wife's hair, "and then..."

His phone suddenly vibrated; White Dragon sent a message:

"President Xiang, Hollywood has started contacting us again, wanting to discuss cooperation."

Xiang Fei raised an eyebrow and replied: "Arrange a meeting."

Zhou Huimin chuckled softly: "Looks like someone is going to be busy again."

Xiang Fei held his wife tighter: "No matter how busy I get, I won't miss the baby's birth."

Outside the window, the night view of Xiangjiang was brilliant as stars. And the new era belonging to Chinese cinema officially set out on its journey.